Adjustable delay device for percussion fuses.



E. 0. L. VOGT.

ADJUSTABLE DELAY DEVICE FOR PERCUSSION FUSES.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 1B, 1911,

1,057,305, Patented 112111251913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. o. L. VOGT. ADJUSTABLE DELAY DEVICE FOR PERCUSSION FUSES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.18,1911.

Patented Mai. 25,1913.

ERNEST OTTO LEOPOLD VOGT, F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ADJUSTABLE DELAY DEVICE FOR PEROUSSION-FUSES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 25, 1913.

'imilcation led November 18, 1911. Serial No. 661,152.

To all 'wit-0mz't may concern Be it known that l, ERNEST O'i'ro Liao-POLD VOGT, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, having declared myintent-ion of becoming' a citizen of the United States, residing inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, have vinvented certain Improvements inAdjustupon impact of the same.

The essential feature and bbject ot' my invention is the pro fision ot'adjustable means for causing delay and for varying the extent of thedelay of the explosion; that is to say, lengthening the interval betweenimpact of the projectile, with the consequent ignition of the percussionprimer andthe actual eX- plosion of such projectile.

My improved t'use construction, involving the employment of anadjustable delay device, is intended fory use with shells, universalprojectiles, &c., and a further object. of my invention is the provisionof a structure made in a plurality of parts, movable with respect toeach other, whereby movement of 'one or more of said parts with. respectto the rest of the structure will change the fuse from a non-delayaction fuse to a delay action fuse.

vThese and other features ot my invention are more fully describedhereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a sectional view of the upper part of a high explosiveshrapnel of the Ehrhardt-van Essen type equipped with a combination fusehaving means, embodying my invention, for delaying or retarding thedetonation of the high explosive charge upon impact; Fig. 2, isa similarview -illustrating a modified construction of the fuse forming thesubject ofniy invention; Figs. 3 ande, are sectional plan views on thelines a-a and Zi-), respectively, Fig. 1; Fig. 5, is a sectional planview on the line c-c, Fig. 2. slightly enlarged; Figs. 6 and '7, aresectional elevations ot other forms oi the percussion elements,illustrating modifications within the scope of' my invention; Fig. S, isa sectional plan view on the line 'f7-(, Fig. G; Fig. 9, is a sideelevation ot' the structure shown in Fig. (i. looking in the directionot the arrow ff.' Fig. l0, is an inverted plan view of the structureshown in Fig. 7; Fig. 11, is a. sectional elevation on the line e-c,Fig. 7 Fig. 12, is a sectional view of a fuse somewhat like thestructure shown in Fig. 1, illustrating a further modification withinthe scope ot' my invention; Fig. 13, is an inverted plan view of theupper part of the structure shown in Fig. 12;. Fig. 14, is a sectionalrview on the line f-f, Fig. 12; Fig. 15, is an external view of thepercussion plunger shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 1G, is a view similar to Fig.15; the upper partot the percussion plunger being turned 90o; Fig. 17isa sectional view illustrating another form ot' delay device within thescope of my invention, taken on the line g-g, Fig. 18; Fig. 18, is asectional plan view on the line /zf-L, Fig. 17 F ig. 19, is a sectionalview illustrating a modified form of the structure shown in Fig. 17;Fig. 20, is a sectional ,view on the line i, Fig. 19; Fig. 21, is a viewillustrating still another form ot' delay device within the scope of myinvention, and Fig. 22, is a view of a base t'use having a delay devicesimilar in character to that shown in Fig. 12.V

My invent-ion involves, broadly speaking, a. plurality of elements,usually a pair, disposed within the fuse sleeve, which elementsA arerevoluble vor movable with respect to each other so that the relationot' certain channels containing delayy powder may be changed or adjustedas desired.

In the struct-ure illustrated .in Fig. 1, ot' the drawings, 1 representsthe ease of the shrapnel part ot a highexplosive shrapnel of theEhrhardt-van Essen type, containing the usual balls 2, and a centraltube 3 leading to the shrapnel bursting charge, (not shown in theillustration), disposed at. the lower end of the projectile. The shellpart of the projectile, indicated at (j, is located on top of theshrapnel -part and forms at. its upper end the body of the conibinationpoint-fuse. The upper portion oi the shell part is reduced at (3 and iscentrally bored tor the reception of the concussion and percussionelements, &c. The usual time train rings 7, 7, are carried by saidreduced portion and the outer end ot' the latter may be threaded at S)tor the reception ot a ring which holds iu place a rotatable orrevoluble sleeve 11' (forming a part of my invention) which lits withinthe central bere of the reduced portion (S, and

f is in operative engagement .with the percussion plunger. The ring 10may have` an overhanging flange 12 for engagement with a flange 13 onsaid sleeve 11. The outer end or threaded onto said sleeve 11. In thelower end of the central bore of the shell-part 5, a sleeve 15 isthreaded, having a reduced lower end 16, also threaded, onto which acup-shaped element 17 may be screwed, and in the space provided bysaidsleeve 15 the percussion plunger forming thev subject of myinvention is mounted.

In Figs. 1, 3 and 4, I have shown my improved delay device for ordnancefuses as applied to an Ehrhardt-van Essen highexplosive shrapnel, and inthis structure, as shown, the sleeve 11 is held in place by a singlering 10 in lieu of atWo-part ring 10a, and the filler-piece 10", asshown in Fig. 9.. In Figs. 1 and 2, I have omitted the concussionelements, safety devices,l &c., disposed within the. sleeve 11, sincethey are of ordinary construction and-have no bearing upon the delaydevice forming the subject ofmy invention and employed in connectionwith the percussion plunger. In, this arrangement, the elements of thepercussion plunger are indicated at 18 and 19; being retained inadjustable or movable connection with each other by .suitable means suchas a screw bolt 20, having a suitable head 21, and a retaining nut. Q2.Below the percussion plunger the detonator is located, consisting of absdy of fulminate Q3, and a body of' high explosive 24. The lower partof the member 18 may be recessed at 25 for the reception ofthe nut 2.2,and communicating with this recess are flame passages 2G and 27, one ofwhich contains, in the upper portion of said member adjacent the member19, a body of slow-burning powder indicated atA 28 and providing delay.The upper member 19 is recessed at 29, for therecepticn of a percus sionprimer 30, having the usual priming charge 81; such portion of theplunger being also provided with a passage 32 in communication with therecess 29 and adapted 'or registry with either of the flame passages 2Gor 27 of the lower member 18 of the plunger structure.

As shown in Fig, 1 of the drawings. the plunger is in' the delayposition; the -flame passage Q7 being closed and the liame passage Q6containing the delay powder beingv so that flame in registry with thepassa ge 32,

must burn 'from the percussion primer' through such body of powderbefore it can` pass through the passage Q6 to the detonator consistingof the fulminat-e 23' and the high explosive 24. When the plunger isinthe reverse position with the passage 32 injregistry with the passage27, the flame from the percussion primer is structed and there is nodelay.

point-cover 14 of the projectile may be' land the po`wder a sheet Eachportion of the plunger body may be provided with ribs; the lower part 18hav ing ribs 35 and the upper part having ribs 36. The ribs of the lowerpart'18 may engage recesses 37 'formed inthe sleeve 15, while the ribsof the upper part 19 may engage recesses 38 formed in the sleeve 11. Bythis construction, rotative movement imparted to sai sleeve 11 willeffect turning of the elem-ent 19 with respect to the element 1S;thelatter being held during such turning movement by engagement of itsribs 35 with. the grooves 37 of said sleeve 15. Movement ot' 180O mustbe imparted to the sleeve 11- to change the plunger structure from thedelay to the non-delay position, or vice versa. It will be understood,of course, that. the members 18 and 19 ma i be grooved instead of beingribbed, with t e sleeves 11 and 15 ribbed to engage said grooves.

Fixed within the sleeve 11 is a firing pin 39 disposed normally in suchposition that when vthe percussion plunger structure moves forward uponimpact of the projectile, said pin will pierce the percussion primer,with the consequent. discharge of flame therefrom.

In Figs. 2 and 5, I have shown a modi' fied construction of theunderpart'of the percussion plunger, indicated at 18; the upper part 19aof the same being like the construction shown in Fig. 1. In. thisarrangement, the member 18L has a pair of ilamc passages 26 and 27a,with a body of high explosive E28 forming the delay owder and lisposedin the lower part o the 100 said member 18a. vThis powder may beretained in lplace by a suitable cover of sheet metal, indicated at 40,held to the member 18a in any approved manner; between which of paper ortin- 105 foil, 41, may be placed. A body of fulminate 42 may be locatedwithin one of the flame passages, 27, for instance. It the flame passage32 is in registry with the flame passage 26, delay occurs when the 110percussion primer 30 is explodedl since the high explosive delay powder28 mustburn oii' before the tire stream can get to the detonator. It thepassages 32 and 27? are in communication, however, there is nonedelay115 because the high explosive delay powder 28 becomes detonated by thebody oi fulminate 42, (ulminate of mercury for instance), contained insaid passage 27a.

In Figs. G., 8 and 9, I have shown another 120 form of structure inwhich the length of the delay is adjustable. `In this construction theAnunnbers 181 and 19" are disposed in nested relation; the member 18bhaving. a. flame port or vent 13 at one side adaptedA to 125 registerwith a 'llame passage 32 formed in the member 19b and leading from arecess 291 therein which contains the percussion primer 3,0, of usualtype, or with any point on the circumference of a groove 44 par- 13028". The longestdelay is obtained if thel point -iof the body Aof delaypowder is located in front of lthe vent 43, while the shortest delay,z'. e., zero, or non-delay, is obtained by the use of the structure inthe illustrated position. In this construction, the member 18b isrecessed at 35h for engagement by lugs which may be carried by thesleeve 15 in lieu of recessing the same, while the upper member19b'carries lugs 36b adapted to engage the recesses 38 of the sleeve 11.Movement of such sleeve, therefore, will effect movement of the member19b independently of the member 18k.l These parts are loosely confinedtogether by the usual bolt 2O and nut 22 so as to be capable of rotativemovement with respect to each other and yet move as a unit plunger uponimpact of the projectile.

In the struct-ure shown in Figs. 7, 10 and 11, the plunger structure iscomposed of two main elements 18c and 19C and a supplemental baseelement 115 confined to the element 19C by the usual bolt 2O and nut 22and retained for movement with saidmember by a dowel 4G, or other'suitable means, while the member 19C is flanged at 17 for engagementwith a recess 48 formed in the member 18C. ln this arrangement themember 19c has a 'flame passage 321 adapted to register with a port orvent 43a formed in the wall of the member 181", or with a re` .cess 49in said wall containing a body 28C of delay powder. To effect movementof the part 18C with respect to the part 19C, said parts are providedwith ribs 36C and 35 for engagement, respectively, with the grooves ofthe sleeves 11 and 15.v By turning the part 1S" either the rents 32 and45S may be connected, or tl 3 powder grain 28C in said recess al) may beplaced in registry with the vent 32", thus providing for delay inaction.

The structure shown in Figs. 1Q, 13 and 11, combines features of thestructure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with those of the Structure shown inFigs. 6, S and 9. The lower inembei' 18d has a single tiame passage 26d,while the upper member 19 is of substantially the same construction asthe member 19 or 19, excepting that its under surface where it `joinsthe member 1Sl is grooved at 53 for the reception of a body of delaypowder, indicated at itl. ln the illustration the nondelay position isshown; the llame passages 32 and 2li being in registry. Delay octasionedb v turning the nieml er 19l with respect to the member 1S, therebynecessitating' the burning of more or less of the delay powder 2S beforethe flame can reach the passage ti'l. This structure is provided with`grooves and ribs in substantially the saine manner as the structureshown in Figs. (l, 8 and 9.

1n Fig. 15, 1 have shown an external view of the percussion plunger inits position within the sleeves 11 and 15, and in Fig. 16, 1 have shownmy improved structure in a position to be assumed when it acts vvas atransport vsafety device. When the sleeve 11 is given a quarter turn ormovement of like, on the under side of sleeve 11 lie over the ribs ofthe lower member of the percus-v sion plunger; preventing forwardmoviement of the latter and avoiding an untimely ignition of thepercussion primerV 3()v by tion of the time train rings ispreventedbecause neither of the vents 11a and 11"` of the sleeve 11 isin communication with' thepassage 11.

In Figs. 17 and 18, have shown a-construction in which thepercnssionvplunger consists of one part, 19e, with Haine passages 32e.In this instance the delay powder grain 28e is carried in a recessformed yin the sleeve 11. In the position illustrated in the. drawing wehave non-delay because passages '56 and 57 leading to the detonatorQele', are in registry. By turning` said sleeve 1l, 1800 the delaypowder grain 28e is placed in registry with the 'passage 57; thus delayisobtained because the powder grain 2S must burn off before the flamefrom the percussion primer can reach the detonator iZ-l lnlieu ofthedelay powder grain 2J", a train ring as illustrated in Figs. 6 and S,:an be used, and such train may be located either on the outer surfaceof the sleeve 1l, or on the inner surface of the inclosurc 58carryingsaid detonator 24C.

ln Figs. 19 and Q0, l have sho-wn a construction in which acomparatively strong fixed to the detonator comprising the fulminate 23and the high explosiic Qllf, which serves to prevent an untimelyignition of said detonator when the delay is adjusted. The percussionplunger is indicated at lflf. having flame passages 32", while the partltr', correspondino' substantially to the part 18 and 7S, of l* l and Q.is tixednnd has a pair of llame passages 2W and 272 one of whichcontains the dela),y powder 'grain 2W. The member lSf, with the member1n" is rotatable iipon movement of the sleeve ll, ,sultalile engagingmeans of the character before referred to hein;` provided. hut only thepercussion member lflf moves longitudinally 900, convex projectingportions 54, or the.

means of the firing pin 39, and .also an ignivwith respect to .said-rleeve l-l. Vlin the posi4v sheet cover Gl) oil' suitable'material maybe 1 AIl() -40 tions of my improved 19g with flame passages 32g, isemployed. The under part of the sleeve 11 is advantageously of conicalshape, as indicated at G3, if a time train is used in order to obtainobturation. If desired, the conical part. may be 'a separate piece, asshown, which may be moved by the sleeve 11; suitable engaging partsbeing provided. The conical part does not move forward upon the impact,and between the' sleeve `1,1 and the said conical part I may place anelastic Washer 64. This conical partis grooved at 44a and contains abody of delay powder 28g; said conical part being also provided with apassage 56a 15A which mayl register with a passage 57 L of theinclosurea. A detonator 24g is disposed opposite the passage 57 a. Thereis non-delay n the position shown. By adjusting the conical part so asto bring some portion of go'the 'delaypowder opposite said passage 57,delayto the desired extent may be obtained.

In Fig.j22, I have shown the application yof my improved delay devicesimilar to that shown in Fig. 12, &c., to base fuses. In the 25illustration, non-delay is provided for; the

longest delay being obtained whenthe end of the time train of delaypowder 28h is brought into registry with a flame passage 65. The part 68is fixed to the bottom of the -s projectile, while the part (39 can beturned from the outsideof the projectile by means of a suitable key. Aone-part percussion plunger 19 having the usual percussion primer 30 isemployed and the member 70 -carrying the time train 28h is provided withaflamepassage 26, x Y

In the structures shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the body of the fuse and theprojectile head consist of one part. Th several construcdela-yl devicescan be used, of course, if the fuse body is a separate part. Further,all of the constructions shown can be used with but slight modiiicationfor base fuses, of substantially the same character as that indicated inFig. '22.

I' claim: 1. The combination with an explosive shell, of a centrallylocated revoluble sleeve Y .adapted forthe reception of concussionelements, safety devices, &c., and a movable percussion plungerconsistng of two parts, one of which is rotatable with respect to theother, partially disposedin the lower portion of said sleeve.

2. The combination with a shell, universal projectile or the like, of acentrally located lrevoluble sleeve adapted for the reception lofconcussion elements, safety devices, &c., a f;irin p'in carried' by saidsleeve, and a 60 ipoveb e1 percussion plunger consisting ofVtii'v'rr..parts, one of which is rotatable with "respect to the other,partially disposed in the lower Aport-ion of said sleeve, and carrying`an explosive primer.

3. The combination with an explosive shell, of a centrally locatedrevoliiblesleeve' adapted for the reception of'rconcussion elements,safety devices, &c., a movable percussion plunger consisting of twoparts, one of which is rotatable with respect to the other, partiallydisposed in the lower'por-I tic-n of said sleeve and having a percussionprimer, and detonating means for said primer carried by said sleeve.

4. The combination with a shell, universal projectile or the like, of acentrally located revoluble sleeve adapted for the reception ofconcussion elements, safety devices, &c., a tiring pin carried by saidsleeve, a movable percussion-plunger consisting of two parts, one ofwhich is rotatable with respect 4to the'other, partially disposed in thelower portion of said sleeve, and a centrally disposed percussion primercarried by said plunger.

l5. The combination with an explosive shell having time train rings, ofa centrally located revoluble sleeve disposed Within said time trainrings, said sleeve adapted for the reception of concussion elements,safety d evices, &c., a-compound percussion plunger longitudinallymovable in said sleeve, a primercarried by said percussion plunger, andmeans carried by said sleeve for rotating part of said percussionplunger, and a firing pin carried by said sleeve.

6. The combination with a shell, universal projectile or the'like havingthe time train rings of a time fuse, of a centrally located revolublesleeve disposed within the same, said sleeve adapted. for the receptiono concussionelements, safety devices, &c., a percussion plungercomprising a plurality of connected parts longitudinally movable in saidsleeve, a primer carried by said percussion plunger, means fordetonating the same, and means carried by said sleeve for rotating partof said percussion plunger'.

7. The combination avith an explosive shell having time train rings, vofa centrally located revoluble sleeve disposed within said time trainrings, said sleeve containing concussion elements, safety devices, &c.,a twopart percussion plunger longitudinally movable with respect to saidsleeve and partially disposed in the lower part of the same, saidplunger having a centrally located primer,

and means carried by said sleeve for moving the upper part of saidplunger with respect. to the other.

8. The combination with a shell, universal projectile or the like havingthe time train rings of a time fuse, of a centrally located revolublesleeve disposed within the same, said sleeve adapted for' the receptionof concussion elements, safety devices, &c., a twopart percussionplungerlongitudinally movable with respect to said sleeve, a centrally locatedprimer carried by said plunger, means carried by said sleeve for movingone 13( part of said percussion plunger Withrespect to theothenand afiring pin carried by said Ill( sleeve. l

9. The combination, with a shell or universal projectile havingthe usualtime train elements, of a revoluble sleeve centrally located in thepoint of said projectile for con-` taining concussion-elements, and amovable percu'ssionplunger carried at the lower end of said sleeve andrevoluble by turning the sleeve to delay or non-delay positions, saidsleeve having a plurality of vents for comvmunication with the timetrains When the 1 percussion plunger is vin the delay or non-- delayposition.

10. The combination with a shell having the usual time train elements,of a movable percussion plunger comprising a plurality of elements, oneof which is rotatable, With respect to thel rest of the percussionplunger structure, a centrally located primer carried by said plunger,and a revoluble sleeve centrally located With respect t-o said shell andplunger to move the same, a percussion disposedinside the t-ime trainrings, the

lower end of said sleeve surrounding and being operatively connected tothe rotatable element of the percussion plunger to etlect movement ofthesame.

1l. rihe combination vwith a shell having the usual time train elements,of a movable percussion plunger comprising a plurality of elements, oneof which is .rotatable with respect to the rest of the structure, arevoluble sleeve centrally located With respect to said shell andoperatively connected to said primer carried by said plunger, and a ringVpin for engagement therewith carried by said revoluble sleeve.

12. The combination, in a percussion plunger for shells and otherexplosive projectiles, of a plurality ort members, one of which isrotatable, means connecting said members together, a percussion primercarried by the rotatable member, said member having a channel leadingfrom said percussion primer, a plurality of channels in thenon-rotatable member adapted to register with the percussion primerchannel, and a body of slowburning powder disposed in one of thechannels o the non-rotating member, the rotatable member being movableWith respect 1 to the other whereby either channel of the latter may bebrought into registry With the percussion primer channel.

13'. The combination, in an impact or percussion plunger for shells orother eXplosive projectiles, of a plurality or' members, one of which isrotatable, means connecting -said members together, a centrally locatedpercussion primer carried by the rotatable part of, said'plunger, saidpart having a channel leading from said percussion primer, a pluralityof channels inthe ncnrotatable member adapted to register with thepercussion primer channel, and a body of slow-burning powder disposed inone of the channels of saidnon-rotating member. 14. The combination, invan impact or percussion fuse for shrapnel or other explosiveprojectiles, o-faplurality of members, une of which is rotatable, meansconnecting the same together, a percussion primer carried lby therotatable member, said member being channeled kand the non-rotatablemember having a plurality of channels registrable With the channel-ofthe rdtatable member,

and a body of slow-burning powder disposed in one of said channels.

l5. The combination, in a percussion fuse for shells and other explosiveprojectiles, of a plurality of members, one of which is rotatable,vmeans connecting the same 'to-- gether, a ypercussion primer-carried bythe rotatable member, said member having a channel leading from theypercussion primer, ay plurality of channels in the other member .adaptedtoregister withv the percussion primeichannel, a body ofsloW-burningpowder disposed in one of said channels, and means wherebyy therotatable member may be moved tobring either of said chanlnelsintoregistry With the channel leading from the percussion primer. -p

16. The combination, in apercussion fuse for shells or other explosiveprojectiles, o a plurality of members, one of which is rotatable, meansconnecting the same together,

a percussion primer carried by the rotatable with the channel leadingfrom the percussion primer.

17. The combination, in a percussion plunger, of a plurality ofelements, means connecting said elements together permitting movement ofone with respect to the other, both of said elements being channeled,4one having one channel and the other having two, a centrally locatedpercussion primer carried by one of said elements and :communicatingWithits channel, a body of slow-burning powder carried in one of thechannels of the other element, and means for positioning the channelleading from the percussion primer with respect to either 4 channel ofthe other element. I

18. The combination, in a percussion plunger, of' a plurality ofelements, means connecting said elements together and permittingmovement of the same With`respect elements and communicating with itschan-y nel, a body'of slow-burning powder carried in a channel of 'theother element, and

means for regulating the position of said elements with res ect to eachother whereby either channel o the one may be brought into registry withtheA percussion primer channel.

19.Y The combination'with a shrapnel, universal projectile or thelikehaving the time train rings of a time fuse, of a centrally locatedrevoluble sleeve dis osed yWithin the same, said sleeve adapted ory thereception of concussion elements, safety devices, 'cc., a two-partmovable percussion plungerdis posed in said sleeve, a percussion' primercarried by said plunger, a tiring pin carried by said sleeve, meansbelow said sleeve re g ceiring the lover part of the percussion plunger,and a delay device disposed insaid lower-most party of the percussionplunger, said upper part roi the plunger being revoluble by the sleeveto delay and non-delay positions while the .lower part is held.

20. The combination with axsliell, universal projectile or the likehaving the time train .rings ot' a time fuse, of a centrally lol catedrcvoluble sleeve disposed within the sume, said sleeve adapted for thereception of concussion elements, safetyr devices,'&c., a movablepercussion plunger disposed 1n ysaid sleeve, said .percussion plungerybeing ma'de in a plurality of arts, a percussion primer carried by saidp unger, a firing in carried by said sleeve, a tubular mem er disposedbelow said sleeve and receiving the lower end of the percussion plungerand holding the same against turning, and a delay device carried by thelowerrnost part of the percussion plunger, said upper .part of therplunger being revoluble by the sleeve to delay and non-delay positions.

Q1. The combination, inY the percussion plunger, of a plurality yof searable elements butted together, axial y disposed means connecting saidelements together und permitting movement of either with respect to theother. both of said elements being channeled, a centrally disposedpercussion primer carried by one of said elements and communicating witha'channel thereof, and n body of sloi\'btiriiing powder carried by ourlot said elements and movable therewith into delay und rnon-delaypositions with respect to the channel of theothei' elenient.

Wi tnesses MURRAY C. BOYER, `Jos. H Y

